NBA

Hornets-Grizzlies Preview

While their defense has led to the franchise's best start
through 41 games, the Memphis Grizzlies have been getting it done
at both ends lately.

That's bad news for the New Orleans Hornets, who have taken a
step back in their last two games.

The Grizzlies will try to stay within striking distance of the
Southwest Division lead and win for the fifth time in six games on
Sunday night when they wrap up a four-game homestand against the
Hornets.

After losing three straight by an average of 22.7 points,
Memphis (27-14) has won four of five to surpass the team's previous
best start of 25-16 during the 2005-06 season.

The Grizzlies, who are five games behind division-leading San
Antonio and rank near the top of the NBA in defensive scoring (89.2
ppg), have allowed 79.4 points per game over that five-game
stretch.

They should be able to maintain that pace against a New Orleans
team that has failed to reach 100 points in each of its last eight
against the Grizzlies.

"One thing that we have had all season is our defense,'' said
Memphis guard Rudy Gay.

Despite being ranked near the bottom of the league in bench
scoring at 26.0 points per game, the Grizzlies have outscored their
last three opponents by a 110-85 margin in that area. Jerryd
Bayless, Tony Wroten and Chris Johnson combined for 32 as Memphis'
bench gained a 38-24 advantage over Brooklyn's reserves in a
24-point victory on Friday.

"For us to win, we need our bench." forward Zach Randolph said.
"The way they've been playing has been great. They've been stepping
up.''

The bench effort has been key with both Randolph and Gay
slumping recently.

Randolph, named to the Western Conference All-Star team on
Thursday, has averaged 12.2 points on 38.0 percent shooting in his
last five games while battling a strained back.

Gay appears to be healthy, but has scored just 13.3 points per
game while shooting 32.3 percent from the floor over his last
four.

Gay, however, may be able to get back on track against the
Hornets. He's averaged 26.0 on 57.1 percent shooting in his last
three in the series, including a game-high 28 to lead Memphis to a
96-89 win at New Orleans on Dec. 7.

Even with their stars struggling, the Grizzlies have reached 100
points in back-to-back games after reaching the century mark only
twice in the previous 24.

They also improved to 13-0 when scoring over 100 - a trend they
hope to continue against the Hornets, who have allowed four
consecutive opponents to reach that mark.

"We haven't been able to guard and hold teams under 100
points,'' New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "That's where it
starts for me. We have to defend better.''

The Hornets (14-29), last in the Southwest, had won seven of
nine before losing their last two.

Eric Gordon has averaged 17.6 points in 12 games back from a
knee injury that cost him the first 29 games. New Orleans is 13-8
the past two seasons when he plays.

Ryan Anderson has been the other top weapon, averaging 20.3
points in his last four games.

The Hornets, however, shot 38.8 percent from the field and 3 for
20 (15.0 percent) from 3-point range in a 100-82 loss to Houston on
Friday. They had scored 109.3 points per game and hit 31 for 66
(47.0 percent) from beyond the arc in their previous three.

The Hornets have dropped six of seven to New Orleans, including
three straight in Memphis.

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.